Edmund. Amaury would think upon that.
“He might simply enjoy such feats,” Amaury said. “He is not a kind man, I think.”
“What of those from Haniers? They might not have liked Gaultier’s scheme to put aside his wife for their sister.”
“Then they could have simply left Marnis.”
“Ha. You cannot say what the financial arrangements had been. There might have been a rich dowry paid, one that could not be returned.”
They rode for a moment in silence. “And what of Denis? Who killed him?”
“What I cannot fathom is why he was even in the forest that morning,” Amaury said, frowning at the road ahead.
“Did they not say that he sought his destrier?”
“But you had stolen it.”
“Aye.”
“And he knew that, for he witnessed the theft.”
“Aye.”
“So, why search the forest? Were you in the habit of leaving your plunder there?”
“Of course not. It is too close to Château Marnis.” Roland was impatient with the suggestion. “And what manner of fool would abandon such a horse in the forest at night?”
“Which means Denis knew he would not find the horse there. Why did he ride out that morning?”
Roland frowned. “You cannot know his destination. You cannot know where he intended to ride or where he had ridden.”
“They said he left at first light, and he was killed at midday. He had time to reach any number of locations, including Montvieux, if that had been his intent.”
Roland turned to study Amaury. “What are you thinking?”
“That there is another detail we do not know.”
“Perhaps he was to meet someone, and that person attacked him.”
Amaury shook his head. “Someone conspires to claim Marnis. Someone allied with Edmund.”
“Someone released him within Marnis’ walls,” Roland ceded.
“It is someone to whom he is loyal in truth.”
“Nay, nay. His choice simply means he fears that person.”
Amaury could see that. “And who would he fear? Who might Denis have met outside the walls, and had a disagreement ending in such violence?”
“You have a notion,” Roland said and Amaury nodded.
“Consider this. I believe Denis aspired to hold Marnis. Of course, he did. He was the sole son of the house and it was a reasonable expectation on his part. What if someone offered to aid him in ensuring that legacy came to his hand sooner rather than later?”
“But truly, that person meant to betray him and claim the prize himself.”
Amaury nodded. “And Denis guessed as much.” He thought of the keys Isabella had hidden on her person and considered the timing of her acquisition of them. She had not possessed them before she dressed the corpse of her brother. “And so Denis hid something of value, the better to guarantee his own position.”
“You think he was killed for it.”
